Physics & Astronomy

Physics 145, Summer 2011 Intro to Experimental Physics I Lab: Tu, Th S420 ESC Sect 1: 8-11AM; Sect 2: 2-5PM Instructor: Justin Peatross N269 ESC

Course

• Grade A(95%) A-(92%) B+(89%) B(86%) B-(83%) C+(80%) C (77%) C-(74%) D+(70%) D(65%) D-(60%)
• Manual
• Laboratory Schedule
• Written Final Exam (worth the same as two labs): Wed. Aug. 10, 9:00AM or 3:00PM, S420 ESC

Learning Outcomes

This hands-on course designed to help students become familiar with a variety of laboratory instruments and techniques.

• Follow good practices in experimental physics, including experiment design and construction, data collection and analysis, record keeping and presentation.
• Analyze systematic and statistical errors, error propagation, and do curve fitting.
• Use simple devices (e.g. lenses, mirrors, slits and gratings, polarizers) to explore the geometric and wave properties of light.
• Apply AC impedance concepts to sinusoidally-driven electrical, mechanical, and acoustical systems.
Use Labview software to perform simple computer-assisted instrument control, data acquisition and data analysis tasks.
• Perform basics Fourier analysis of time signals and apply frequency-domain filters.

Lab Notebook

• Students will be required to document their work in a personal lab notebook, which will be regularly evaluated for grading purposes. They are expected to create an accurate and thorough record of each experimentas it is conducted, including a record motivations, questions, insights and interpretations. Graphs and printouts of computer code can be taped into the notebook when needed. If a section is found to be in error, it is good practice simply to place a big X over the section, still leaving it readable (in case some of the information is
  later found to be valuable).You will also need to bring a scientific calculator each week.

Lab Reports

• While students work together in teams (usually pairs) at each lab station, each student is graded individually on a 10 point scale based on the report that they prepare in their lab notebook and their participation in conducting the experiment. You must submit your lab notebook at the end of each lab period for grading. It will be returned by the start of the next lab period. Each lab report should be organized under the following three section headings:
• Quiz (2 points). Students are expected to read the labmaterial before each lab session. The quiz questions are designed to increase depth of understanding and will help prepare students for the final exam. Students may update their quiz answers during the lab period.
• Procedures, Data and Observations (5 points). This section is to be written entirely while performing the experiments. This record, which is the heart of the report, is a step-by-step description of experimental procedures and the data that is collected, as well as an explanation of calculations. It should include sketches, tables, and graphs tomake the record as clear as possible. Students are encouraged to insert numerous real-time observations, insights, ideas, and reactions during the course of the experiment (e.g.“That didn’t turn out as expected – why?”).
• Discussion and Conclusion (2 points). Here students are encouraged to ’think in the notebook’ about the results of the completed experiment, interpret the outcome and it's significance, and concisely state the conclusions of experiments.
• Participation (1 point). Credit will also be awarded for being fully involved in the process of conducting your experiment and for participating in class discussion.

Late Work

• Your lab notebooks should be submitted for grading at the end of each lab session. Work submitted for grading after the due date will receive a 10% late penalty. You will be permitted to make up one missed lab on the last day of class. Staff will be on hand that day to assist with the transport and installation of equipment. Because the lab equipment is returned to storage at the end of each lab, it will generally not be possible to make up labs at other times.

Instructor/Teaching Assistants

• Office Hours: MWF 11AM; in either S416A or N269.
• Email Justin Peatross (physics145@byu.edu) 801-422-5043
• TA/Grader (Section 1): Mark Cunningham (markus.gookus@gmail.com) 801-243-7110
• TA/Grader (Section 2): Claira Gale (claira.gale@gmail.com) 360-801-9107

Preventing Sexual Harassment: BYU's policy against sexual harassment extends not only to employees of the university but to students as well.   If you encounter sexual harassment, gender-based discrimination, or other inappropriate behavior, please talk to your professor or department chair, or contact the BYU Equal Employment Opportunity Office at 801-422-5895, or contact the Honor Code Office at 801-422-2847.

Students With Disabilities: BYU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified persons with disabilities.   If you have any disability that may adversely affect your success in this course, please contact the University Accessibility Center at 801-422-2767.   Services deemed appropriate will be coordinated with the student and instructor by that office.